John Lewis Talks Too Much

"As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign," Lewis said in a statement. "Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse."

"During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama,"

-John Lewis 10/11/2008

John Lewis is a great surviving figure of the Civil Rights movement. He is also a politician. It amazes me how experienced politicians can be so stupid. I understand what he was trying to say. It is clear that McCain and Palin have incited crowds and that such inflammatory talk is dangerous. McCain has made a lame effort to change that climate, but it is obvious that he and Palin were purposely trying to stir up resentment toward Obama and gain voters. It is also clear that they haven't really distanced themselves from such talk and that they continue to spout it.

Back to John Lewis. When a prominent figure makes a statement and references the Civil Rights movement, George Wallace, and the killing of the children in Birmingham, he should know that his words will be taken out of context and that they will be denounced by Palin and McCain as racist. McCain and Palin and their supporters will use those words to say to voters that Lewis and Obama are comparing them to George Wallace. Lewis wrote the words, Obama will be blamed for them and a new chapter of lies and innuendo will begin.

The country sees what Palin and McCain are doing. It does not need Lewis to interpret it. Leave well enough alone, Mr. Lewis. Don't be another Jeremiah Wright. The election is near and Obama is doing well, while McCain and the Bimbo flounder around in the mud. He doesn't need any "help."